Trademark department admits data uploaded without checks
The confidential business details of hundreds of companies which challenged trademark applications have been released on a government website that is open for anyone to view and download.
Experts say the information, including turnover, profit margins and personal data of staff, would be valuable to commercial rivals and could be exploited by criminals.
The Intellectual Property Department set up the online trademark search system to allow people to check whether a trademark has been applied for, opposed or registered. The public can gain access to the data simply by typing in a trademark or a company's name.
A search by the Sunday Morning Post turned up information on dozens of firms, including invoices, business registration licences and even copies of employees' passports.
The department admitted the information should not have been made public but said such details were on the Web because firms had inadvertently included personal data when filing notices of opposition.